I'm in the 15th episcopal district and am trying to chat to the Bishop concerning a problem in our church for almost a year now. We've been trying to resolve this problem threw the right channels but it seems that no one cares. What are we surpose to do, after we've wrote several letters to our local pastor and to the presiding elder of our district. We've even wrote a letter to the office of the Bishop. But al that was done was nothing. How do we know that the Bishop had received the letter, cause we know, if he did, he would have done something about it.

NB. This problem could effect the future of teh church. I've even sent a few e-mails but no responds yet.

His in Christ mission

Jerome

-- Anonymous, November 15, 2001

Answers

Jerome,

In the old days, the entire Board of Stewards would sign a petition and present it at the Quarterly Conference. Whatever the issue is it must be documeted. Normally The Presiding Elder would hanlde the matter upon confeerring with the Bishop.

The matter will then be referred to the appropriate committee at the Annual Conference Level. If necessary then the matter can be referred to the Judicila Council of the AME Church.

Matters aret o be handled internally before the civil courts is involved.

An older presiding elder woiuld sometimes reminds us those of you who have not sinned you throw the first stone.

In action can be frustrating. A foster brother of mine once asked me "Do you not believe that GOD is able to do more with the person that you can?" He appealed to my Chrstain nature.

GOD some years later called the offender and GOD's judgement will be more that I could ever subject the person too. Whatever a person sows that is what he/she will reap.

Be reminded that the scipture informs uf of corruption in high places.

There's nohting that is done in the human church that will ever surprise me. There is our church and then ther's GOD's Church.

Be of Good Courage! WHS I'm in the 15th episcopal district and am trying to chat to the Bishop concerning a problem in our church for almost a year now. We've been trying to resolve this problem threw the right channels but it seems that no one cares. What are we surpose to do, after we've wrote several letters to our local pastor and to the presiding elder of our district. We've even wrote a letter to the office of the Bishop. But al that was done was nothing. How do we know that the Bishop had received the letter, cause we know, if he did, he would have done something about it. NB. This problem could effect the future of teh church. I've even sent a few e-mails but no responds yet.

His in Christ mission

Jerome

-- Anonymous, November 15, 2001

The scriture tells us to do things decently and in order, therefore, since we do have the Doctrine and Discipline of the AME Church, we ought to work within the confines of those rules and regulations.

When there's a problem within the church family, it should be documented by using the rule(s) of the doctrine and discipline that applies. And yes, in the past, and I hope now, the problem was/is written up using those guidelines, presented to the Board of Stewards, who votes to take whatever appropriate action is necessary, i.e., vote to present to the Presiding Elder at the quarterly conference. If the problem is voted upon by the Steward Board to take the matter before the quarterly conference, the document is then sent by registered mail to the Elder, with copies sent to the other party (ies) involved. Of course, the Presiding Elder will confer with the Bishop on the best course of action to follow to rectify the problem. At the quarterly conference, hopfully the matter is disposed of and has to go no further.

-- Anonymous, November 16, 2001